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The Little Ski Club That Could! Big News for Glacier Racing Ski Club

Feb 17, 2014

Oro Medonte – Glacier Ski Club, operating out of Mount St. Louis Moonstone located north of Toronto has many reasons to celebrate. The volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization was recently awarded a $15,000 grant in 2013 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation enabling the acquisition of specialty equipment required to accommodate its growing number of athletes. Local MPP Garfield Dunlop and Frank Steeve of the Ontario Trillium Foundation were there to offer their congratulations.

“I’m pleased to see that this organization has received the grant that will help make their projects and programs possible and ensure safety,” said Garfield Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North. “Ontario Trillium Foundation funding is very important in helping groups like the Glacier Ski Club reach their goals to enhance the communities they serve.”

In its 13th year of operation, Glacier had its humble beginnings as a 30-person ski club that brought people together with a common interest - a love of the sport of downhill skiing. Numbers increased over the years and Glacier, part of Alpine Ontario, now finds itself with an impressive roster of 100 aspiring ski racers, ranging in ages from six to 20 years. Throughout its growth, Glacier has continued to rely on its committed volunteers who truly understand the impact of working together towards one commonality. Glacier competes among other ski clubs in the Alpine Ontario Southern Division in the U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18/U21 categories and continues to perform at a high level at numerous downhill ski racing competitions.

It was important for Glacier to maintain its operation as a not-for-profit organization and find ways in which to make downhill ski racing affordable and accessible. Yet when Glacier was faced with the costly, yet necessary task of updating equipment it sought out meaningful means to obtaining the funds required.

“We turned to Trillium early last year knowing they could help organizations like ours which focuses on volunteerism, participation, and giving more kids an opportunity to have fun ski racing,” says Karen Whitney, president of Glacier Ski Club. “The fact that we are a not-for-profit organization means we rely heavily on a strong network of volunteers to ensure a well-coordinated and successful club. This enables us to keep our rates reasonable so everyone has access to skiing.”

The premise of the grant is to expand the ski club’s training capability and safety as well as to promote volunteerism. The grant is helping Glacier acquire up-to-date timing and safety equipment including gates and safety netting, already being put to good use during the recently hosted U12, U14 and U16 regional slalom ski races by Glacier Ski Club.

Steady growth and a common goal towards supporting athletes in their development makes for a bright future for Glacier Ski Club who is thankful to Ontario Trillium Foundation for recognizing their continued efforts towards promoting volunteerism.

To find out how to get your aspiring athletes involved in Glacier Ski Club, please visit: www.glacierskiclub.com.
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About Glacier Ski Club
Glacier Ski Club is an incorporated not for profit ski club with approximately 100 racers. We are a competitive racing club but our motto is "to have fun while helping each other to achieve our best". We are family-oriented and rely on a strong network of volunteers to ensure a well-coordinated and successful club. Visit www.glacierskiclub.com.

About Ontario Trillium Foundation
A leading grant maker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Ontario government, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities. Visit www.otf.ca.